Helping in Two Clicks: How Digital Technology is Making INGOs Irrelevant

Why bother with aid agencies? To “do good” all you need is a phone and Google Maps. Users choose a borrower and say how much they want to lend. A network of local field partners, such as microfinance institutions (MFIs) or non-profits, deal with making the loans. When the borrowers repay, the money lands back in the lender’s Kiva account to lend again, either donate or withdraw. So far nearly 1.5 million people have lent $12.2 million through Kiva. It’s not just microfinance platforms like Kiva, Zidisha or Deki that offer this “direct” approach to helping people in need. Others, like GiveDirectly, allow you to get cash transferred straight to the recipient to do with what they think is best. More information is available here.
Source: New Internationalist